Don’t Swallow The Hype

Do you really think that a pill can be the answer to getting fit and trim? I know, you want to, THEY want you to. But if it was possible to take it off and keep it off by simply swallowing a capsule don’t you think that there would be far fewer overweight people in the world. The fact is that the number is growing. Face it, the way to better health is actually NOT swallowing… at least not swallowing as much.

TODAY: EAT LESS, EXERCISE MORE.

Give Yourself A Treat

Don’t deprive yourself of your favorites just because you’re dieting. You can eat anything you want. Just do it every now and then rather than all the time. Keep the portions reasonable too. No huge bowls of ice cream with chocolate sauce every night! A scoop or so every now and then is okay. If you deny yourself all  the time you’ll end up resenting your healthier lifestyle. Just continue to eat les and exercise more and it will all work out. So go ahead, have a treat this weekend, and even during the week sometimes. Make sure you enjoy it. You may find it better than you remember when you were having it all the time.

TODAY: DO JUST A LITTLE MORE WALKING THAN YESTERDAY.

A Little Goal Is A Start

Just saying the word “diet” can sound daunting. It may be what’s holding you back from changing your bad eating habits. So don’t go on a “diet”. Change just one little thing at a time so you can feel like you’re accomplishing something. What you will find is that you will actually accomplish something. Just use the tips I send you each day as a starting point. Each of those little goals will work a little. That’s the idea. They aren’t meant to be the single think you do to improve your health.  Give it a try. Hey… even deciding to do that is reaching a small goal.

TODAY: DRINK MORE WATER.

For God’s Sake, Eat A Piece Of Fruit

Remember the Tim Allen movie “The Santa Clause” when he was gaining all the weight and he went to a business meeting? His boss noticed how it appeared he was “letting himself go”. His advice was one hilarious line that has always stuck with me. “For God’s sake, eat a piece of fruit once in a while.” It’s true. When those carvings hit for something sweet, a piece of fruit instead of a donut, cookies or a candy bar is an excellent choice. Fruit can be a diet saver. It satisfies and levels out your blood sugars to knock out hunger for a longer period and also gives you valuable fiber.

So set out a fruit bowl for yourself instead of cookies and milk and stay on Santa’s “good” list for next Christmas.

TODAY: SHOP FOR SOME FRESH FRUIT

Pick Up A Sack Of Potatoes

The next time you are in the grocery,  head to the produce department and pick up a five pound sack of potatoes. Then carry it around the rest of the time you’re shopping. Don’t put it in the cart. Carry it. You’ll find that five pounds takes a surprising amount of effort to carry for a while. Now imagine that you’re carrying that around from the time you get up until you go to bed at night. That’s what you are doing when you are just five pounds overweight.

The point is that with just a little effort, you should be able to drop five pounds in a couple of weeks. Eat a litle less, skip the snacks and high calorie deserts and go walk a little. It will come off. You will be amazed at the extra energy you will have by dropping just five pounds. So make the first step dropping the potatoes. The ones you eat. Then take the next step out the door. Believe me. It’s not a half-baked idea.

TODAY: SET A GOAL TO LOSE FIVE POUNDS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

Feel Better With Chicken Noodle… Hold The Noodle

Cold weather can make you feel like eating all the time. You actually are burining more calories keeping warm The problem is getting calories that won’t make you put on warming layers of fat. Soup always is a great choice. But it can be full of hidden calories and carbs. This is where chicken noodle soup without noodles comes in. A handy container of chicken broth is a fast, easy snack. Pop a cup in the microwave and enjoy a satisfying snack. By simmering some veggies you make a substantial meal. I also really like matzo ball soup. But of course the matzo is full of carbs. But I’ve found that by just cooking celery in the broth you have a really close replica.

So stock up with stock and when spring comes you’ll be less stocky.

TODAY: ADD SOME STOCK TO YOUR PANTRY.

Eat Less By Doing More

An idle mind is the diet’s playground. Boredom often leads you to food. Sitting, mindlessly stuffing snacks in your face doesn’t really satisfy your needs. You may even end up feeling guilty later and that will depress you and you’ll eat some more to feel better. Get busy! I’m sure you’ve had those days when you simply forget to eat, or grab something quick. Make sure when that happens that you eat high quality protein. It will recharge your brain and boost your metabolism.  Evenings? Take up a hobby, clean the house, even search the internet. It will keep your hands doing something besides reaching in a bag of calories.

TODAY: KEEP BUSY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.